ipma certification – level d -...

Round D1

IPMA Certification – Level D Certified Project Management Associate

Candidates Manual

D

PMDAN, Suite A6, Zone 'D' Plaza, No.1, Adeyinka Adebayo street, Apo Quarters, Zone 'D', Abuja, Nigeria Tel./Fax: +234702 541 6594 www.pmdan,org [email protected]

http://www.pmdan,org/

Content table

1. Introduction to IPMA Level D® Certification

Stage 1: Self-assessment, application 2.CV on education, career etc. 3.Basis for competence assessment 4.Self-assessment 5.Application for Level D Certification

Stage 2: Exam 6. Written exam

Stage 3: Competence development

7. Competence development plan

Stage 5: Final evaluation

8. Final evaluation and recommendation

Further orientation 9. General information

Cert_Cp_Version 1.0_131017 Candidates Manual Level D page 2 of 49

1. Introduction to IPMA Level D® Certification


Purpose of Introduction Session

Guide

how to succeed in demonstrating your competences in project management to the assessors during the certification process.

Inspire

to the fact that participation in the process gives a further lift of your F in project management.

Topics of the introduction session

Following the content of this manual, all topics laid down here will be further explained where necessary and the questions of the candidates will be answered. This session will be offered to all interested persons in the form of a webinar.


The certification - in brief

1. Test the project management Associates competence to apply project management in an appropriate way

2. Assesses PM-Behavioural, PM-Technical and PM-Contextual competences and the ability to make these part competences to strengthen each other by managing projects

3. Assessed by two assessors who themselves hold an IPMA certificate in project management and act independently, just bound to the rules and regulations set for all IPMA organisations

4. Certification in four levels which reflects and supports a career with project management

5. Participation in the certification is a self-learning process which gives a characteristic lift of competences

6. Managed by the PMDAN

7. The certification is recognised internationally by certification organisations in more than 50 countries.


Requirements for Level D Certified Project Management Associate

Competent to Practice in any competence element of project management.

Work as a project team member or a member of the project management staff.

Has broad project management knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge

Experience application Not mandatory (IPMA Level D is not experience-driven)


IPMA Level D Certification Procedure (1) Stage 1: Self-assessment, application

1.1 Preparation Get familiar with the application documents and/or collect questions on these (to be answered in the introduction session)

1.2 Introduction session Webinar for applicants (28 October 2013) 14.00-17:00

1.3 Self-assessment and application To be submitted at the latest (25 November 2013)

1.4 First feedback By 7 January 2014

Stage 2: Exam

2.1 Written exam (3 hrs) - 10 January 2014 (13.00-16:00) Venue:

Best Western Premier Port Harcourt Hotel Km 16, Aba expressway, opposite Intels camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +234 803-871-8302, +234-810-209-0401 Tel: +234 (084) 465 700


tel:%2B234%2008038718302

tel:%2B234%20%28084%29%20465%20700

IPMA Level D Certification Procedure (2) Stage 3: Competence development plan

By 10 January 2014


5.1 Final evaluation and recommendation By 7 February 2014

5.2 Decision and issue of certificate 5.3 Feedback from the candidate 5.1 Appeal

Within 30 Working days after the decision, in writing


2. CV on education, career etc.


Guidelines for filling in the CV – Part 1 The candidate • Insert your name at the first page in the file. • Insert your photo in the document

Explanation • Specify both motivation for your

company and your personal motivation

Basic education(s) • Fill in your long term education(s)

Career • Start with your latest employment. • State both year and month: YY/MM • If you have changed function in a corporation –

use a new line in the form. • Function/responsibility stated by three lines

about project related roles. • Extra line(s) with leave – maternity or other


Courses/seminars/conferences/network • Also education in project management – as a

part of basic education • Number of days at training modules and possibly

practice periods as a part of the education • Practice periods include self-study, coaching, use

at own project etc. • The three statements reflect your personal

gaining’s – and should not summarise the content.

Literature on project management and other relevant issues • Internal guidelines can also be included – if so

supply with keyword on content • The three statements reflect your personal

gaining’s – summarising the content • Slides from courses are to be filled in under

courses – not as literature Own articles • Both internal and external presentations Earlier certified • Earlier certification in project management


3. Basis for competence assessment


Total use of the “IPMA Competence Baseline for Project Management” 1. Introduction meeting Get an overview of the tools and an opportunity to practice selected elements.

2. Self-assessment Work out the main steps describing knowledge and experience applications of the Technical, Behavioural and Contextual competences.

Remember to use the guidelines for each step.


4. Self-assessment


Procedure for self-assessment (1) The applicant shall assess their knowledge and experience for all competence elements of the ICB.

As an aid for the applicant, the self-assessment form includes a rationale for the scores, particularly for the high and low ones.

The applicants assess their competence by reflecting on their activities in projects and lessons learned.

After completing their self-assessment, the applicant should discuss the results with another person who knows them well. The outcome of such a discussion may result in an adjustment of the scores.

Practical experience is not mandatory to be filled out on Level D). Read and learn about the competence elements in the ICB.

The average for each group of competence elements are calculated (practical experience is not mandatory to be filled out on Level D)

NOTE: Practical experience is not MANDATORY for Level D


5. Application for Level D Certification


Requirements to contents of application • The document shall be forwarded by e-mail

to [email protected]. Word-format is recommended

• Electronic file-name: D.1_First name_Surname-ApplicationForm_Date Date is stated as: YY-MM-DD At new versions the date is changed.

• On request from the Certification Body an updated application has to be submitted – e.g. if the application is not complete

• Relevant documentation shall be archived in hard copy and/or electronically for at least six years from the date of certification.

• The CB undertakes to keep confidential all information from the application and certification process


mailto:[email protected]

The candidate’s documents from stage 1

Document content Number of pages

CV incl. photo and application 3

Self-assessment 1


6. Written exam


Practical information of the examination (1)

Examination on paper: The examination will be conducted in writing on paper. Each candidate should therefore carry proper writing utensils to the examination place.

The examination will take place 10 January 2014 (13.00-16:00)

Venue: Best Western Premier Port Harcourt Hotel Km 16, Aba expressway, opposite Intels camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +234 803-871-8302, +234-810-209-0401 Tel: +234 (084) 465 700

Duration: 3 hours


tel:%2B234%2008038718302

tel:%2B234%20%28084%29%20465%20700

Practical information of the examination (2)

Aids: No further aids (books, scripts etc.) are allowed at the examination. No own note paper is to be brought to the examination. Note paper will be made available by the assessors, if needed. This has to be returned together with the examination papers and the task sheets at the end of the examination to the assessors.

Certification fees: Only applicants with paid fees shall be admitted to exams


Structure of exam (1) 46 Direct questions 9 Open essays and/or Intellectual tasks Duration at least 3 hours.

All competence elements will be covered with the direct questions and at least 3 competence elements per range will be covered in the open essays and / or intellectual tasks.

Direct questions are multiple choice or single questions.

Open essays are proposals, calculations or process descriptions.

Intellectual tasks are case studies (may be with several questions).


Structure of exam (2) Part 1

60 multiple choice tasks Each correct answer gives 1 point (Max. of 60 points could be achieved)

Part 2

12 single questions, Each correct answer gives 5 points Answer in about 2 to 3 lines or 3 to 6 list items (Max. of 60 points could be achieved)

Part 3

Project case with 9 questions

9 x 5 points = 45 points, (Max. of 45 points could be achieved)

15 minutes for rework and final check of answers.

A maximum 165 points could be achieved.

To Pass 100 points should be achieved (corresponding to 60% of accepted answers)


Examples for part 1: Multiple Choice


Examples for part 2: Single questions Question 1: Mention four typical project phases. Question 2: Elaborate the answers by giving a brief description of the contents and result of each of the phases. Question 3: Describe briefly: What is a risk analysis? Question 4: When is a risk analysis to be carried out? Question 5: What are the four most important steps of a risk analyses – and what is the substance of each of the steps?


Introduction to Part 3: Project example The framework for the task is an example of project with limited complexity, in which 'the application of the knowledge in the project management competence elements to a practical case should be treated within the framework of the example – e.g. tasks of objective description, planning and follow-up of the project example.


7. Competence development plan


Managing competence development • Practice in any competence element as a project team

member or a member of the project management staff on any level and/or project management specialist or expert responsibilities

• Reflect on experience, gained from own practice, maybe with sparring partner, team

• Use practice, theory, expert opinion within own organisation, PM quality management, development of standards and guidelines

• Use feedback from lecturing and trainings, prepare new modules

• Use practice, theory, expert opinion of third parties, network, external assessment, development of standards and guidelines

• Participate in seminars and conferences

• Study professional textbooks, journals, magazines yourself

• Participate in continuing professional education and trainings

• Maintain own competence and update own self-assessment sheet for renewing your IPMA Level D® certificate


Guidelines for competence development • It is recommended that you prepare a personal

plan for developing your competences in working as a project management associate for the year to come.

• The plan is based on the assessment of your current competences. As a first step you record your competence development of the current year. You update your self-assessment sheet.

• Then you identify your development potential and establish the most important objectives for your next year's development.

The achievement record for the current year and the plan for the next year shall be documented with specific and quantitative facts. The following table can be useful


Description of development initiatives Name Period Date:

Description of professional development initiatives

Num

ber

of d

ays

Achieved competences element(s)

PM-t

echn

ical

co

mpe

tenc

e

PM-b

ehav

iour

al

com

pete

nce

PM-c

onte

xtua

l co

mpe

tenc

e

Practice Project management: specific competence development activities you were / plan to be engaged in

Reflect on experience, gained from own practice

Use competence development in own organisation

Use feedback and new modules from lecturing and trainings

Use competence of third parties

Participate in seminars and conferences

Study professional literature yourself

Number of days in total:


8. Final evaluation


Final assessment Upon completion of the interview, the assessors determine if the candidate has satisfactorily met all required criteria for the IPMA Level applied for. Their recommendation with supporting documentation is then forwarded to the CB operational management for decision. Both assessors are required to verify the evaluation report. The self assessment score is not part of the final evaluation.


Issuing of certificate (1)

On behalf of the CB, the operational management of the CB shall make the decision about granting a pass or fail based upon the recommendation of the assessors.

Certificates shall be issued in English language.

Certificates shall be registered in both CB and IPMA databases. The information is published on the IPMA website as public information unless the applicant has explicitly expressed a wish not to.

The CB shall use the IPMA standard certificate and the Accompanying Sheet with the summary of the certification scheme for all certificates.


Issuing of certificate (2)

The certificate will be issued on the final day of the certification process.

• The names of the certified in project management are published: − On www.pmdan.org

(2-6weeks after the certificate is issued) − On www.ipma.ch

(will be updated 4 times a year)

• If the candidate does not want to have the name published, written announcement together with the CV must be given.


http://www.pmdan.org/

http://www.ipma.ch/

Appeal against CB decisions

An applicant who is not accepted or candidate who fails the initial certification process can file an appeal to the CB. Such an appeal shall be made in writing to the CB within 30 working days of the decision and shall include reasons for the appeal.

• The candidate should give a written reasoning for the appeal to the Certification Secretariat – not to exceed 2 A4-pages.

• It must be stated that it is a formal appeal.

• The secretariat forwards the appeal to the Appeal Committee together with relevant documents from the certification in question

• The Appeal Committee assesses the appeal and decides if a new assessor assessment should be done.


9. General information


IPMA Level D Certification Procedure Stage 1: Application, Self-assessment

1.1 Preparation Get familiar with the application documents and/or collect questions on these (to be answered in the introduction session)

1.2 Introduction session Webinar for applicants (28 October 2013) 14.00-17:00

1.3 Self-assessment and application To be submitted 14 calendar days before the examination day at the latest (25 November 2013)

Stage 2: Exam

2.2 Written exam (3 hrs) - 7 January 2014 (13.00-16:00) Venue:

Best Western Premier Port Harcourt Hotel Km 16, Aba expressway, opposite Intels camp, Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Mobile: +234 803-871-8302, +234-810-209-0401 Tel: +234 (084) 465 700


tel:%2B234%2008038718302

tel:%2B234%20%28084%29%20465%20700

Stage 3: Competence development plan By 10 January 2014


5.1 Final evaluation and recommendation By 7 February 2014

5.2 Decision and issue of certificate 5.3 Feedback from the candidate 5.4 Appeal

Within 30 Working days after the decision, in writing

Certification fees: Certification Fees shall be paid no later than 25 November 2013. Only applicants with paid fees shall be admitted to exams


IPMA 4 Level Certification – personal effort The following figures indicate the average personal effort of the candidate to be reserved for proper preparation of the assessment: •IPMA Level D 30 hours •IPMA Level C 60 hours •IPMA Level B 90 hours •IPMA Level A 120 hours

PMDAN recommends seeking for professional support in preparing yourself for the examination. Further information can be obtained by contacting us directly.

Assessors Level C Currently, the following assessors are appointed by PMDAN CB to conduct Level B certifications:

Mr. Per Frank Povlsen Foreign First Assessor to PMDAN

Dr. Chinwi Obari Mgbere National First Assessor to PMDAN


Introduction to re-certification (1)

• When the certificate has been achieved it should be maintained.

• After 5 years a report and application should be forwarded concerning re-certification. The report should document that the certificate holder is still competent

• It is expected, that the candidate • was active in project management in

the last 5 years and • developed his/her competence in

project management in the past 5 years

• The current guideline for the reporting is aimed at forwarding a new version of material from the first stage of the certification.

• The candidate can also be asked to forward further documentation as part of the re-certification and/or be summoned to an interview meeting.



• It is the responsibility of the certificate holder to monitor the expiry date of their certificate and to initiate the recertification process.

• Recertification focuses on a candidate’s development and professional experience since obtaining their initial certification or latest recertification.

• The recertification candidate shall be assessed by two assessors. If there is any doubt as to the result, then the assessors shall propose an interview via the CB. A recommendation is then made regarding renewal. If non-renewal is recommended, supporting documentation shall accompany the recommendation.



The recertification process steps are 1. Stage 1: Application, CV, Self-

Assessment, List of projects 2. Stage 2: References, eventual complaints 3. Stage 3: Competence development Plan 4. Stage 4: Interview if necessary 5. Stage 5: Final Evaluation and

Recommendation, Feedback from the candidate, Decision and issue of the certificate,

The Application shall include all necessary personal details and the recertification level applied for.

The certificate holder shall confirm that they agree to abide by the conditions and obligations of the IPMA recertification process including, but not limited to: recertification fees, code of conduct, publication of their name (unless they have explicitly expressed a wish not to do so).



In addition to that specified in the CV, it shall be supplemented with information about the individual’s Continuous Professional Development since the initial certification or recertification.

If the assessors, having evaluated the documents, consider it necessary to recommend an interview, the CB shall make the decision as to whether it will take place. The candidate shall be entitled to present additional evidence to support their claim of competence, professional development and their professional conduct at the interview.

A recertification candidate who has been denied renewal of the certificate may file an appeal for reconsideration of the decision. Such an appeal must be made in writing to the CB within 30 working days of the decision and must include reasons for the appeal.


Assessment (1) The candidates’ self-assessment has to be considered in the assessment and has to be checked by the assessors for consistency and credibility.

For the candidate to pass the recertification process, the CB must fulfil the administrative requirements of the recertification process (e.g. correct assignment of assessors to candidates, ensures fees are paid) and the candidate:

• Attains a minimum for both professional project management activities/assignments of 50%.

• Has evidence of Continuing Professional Development of 35 hours per annum, during the last 5 years.

• Has complied with the code of professional conduct.


Assessment (2) The following outcomes are possible as a result of the recertification assessment:

• Renewal of certificate.

• Renewal of certificate following satisfactory interview/ and/or references/ and/or review of complaints/ and/or an enquiry for additional information from the candidate for clarification.

• Non-renewal of certificate following unsatisfactory interview and/or references and/or review of complaints/ and/or an enquiry for additional information from the candidate.

If any doubt exists, the CB shall invite the candidate to an interview with the assessors. A determination will then be made pending the outcome of the interview.


Change control Issue Status Author Page Date Comments

Version 1.0 Released Dr. Chinwi Mgbere 13.10.17


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